American Camp

The Historical Site covers both American and British military

English Camp

encampments from a 12 year territorial dispute over the Sand Juan Islands.  The treaty establishing what is now the border between Canada and the US failed to adequately address this group of islands.  Tensions flared when a British farmer’s pig was shot eating an American’s garden.   Eventually arbitration determined the islands were part of the U.S. averting what is known as “the Pig War”.

As the ferry left the terminal toward San Juan Island we met a couple of Washington residents who frequently vacation on the islands.  They were gracious with advice on favorite highlights.  We saw them again when they came to view sunset at the county park and again on our return ferry.  Their advice on island highlights and the little ice cream stand near the ferry terminal were spot-on.

Entering Friday Harbor the ferry sounded the horn repeatedly with a great echo around the harbor.

County Park Campground

Camping site size and ferry rates led us to leave the RV on the mainland and tent camp for our time on the island. Our campsite had a glorious view of the Haro Strait for whale watching and sunsets.  We were not disappointed in our viewing for either.  The Orcas kept us waiting until late in our visit when 2 of the 3 resident pods of  Orcas cruised past.  They were feeding with lots of fin and tail slaps and some breaching.  Amazing!  Earlier in the week we had a lone transient, migrating, Orca cruise by.  These were the first sightings for the month.

Roche Harbor has developed on the site of a former Lime Kiln.  The destination resort is home to hotels, restaurants, fantastic boats/ships, a carillon and an outdoor art display.  They serve a pretty tasty lunch on the pier too!

Back onto Ferry for Lopez Island

Waiting in the ferry line provides time to ponder things. Our ferry was going to Lopez Island and Anacortes, so how do they do that?  Let me clarify.  You drive onto one end of the ferry and off the other so no one needs to back up.  So you could use the various lanes to stage vehicles to disembark at Lopez Island for example BUT anyone coming on at Lopez would be headed the wrong way at the 2^nd stop.  They handled it by making those destined for Lopez back onto the ferry last.  Some were better than others at backing about a block down the ramp and onto the boat.